Airbus showcases its new prototype Maveric
During Singapore’s air show that closed this weekend, aircraft manufacturer Airbus showed off a miniature model of an aircraft in which the entire aircraft is a wing, a design known as the “Blended Wing Body” (BWB) or hybrid wing.
Jean-Brice Dumont, EVP Engineering Airbus, said in an Airbus press release:
“Airbus is leveraging emerging technologies to pioneer the future of flight. By testing disruptive aircraft configurations, Airbus is able to evaluate their potential as viable future products. Although there is no specific time line for entry-into-service, this technological demonstrator could be instrumental in bringing about change in commercial aircraft architectures for an environmentally sustainable future for the aviation industry.”
The advantage of ‘BWB aircrafts’ compared to traditional aircraft is that the aerodynamics are better which leads to lower fuel consumption and the design should also allow more space for passengers and luggage.
There is currently no information on when or if Airbus intends to develop a full-scale BWB plan. Below is a video clip and some illustrations on Maveric as well as interior pictures of what it could look like inside a full-scale BWB plane.